During the solemn Omer season, Lag B’Omer is a day that is notable for its joy, fire, music, and customs.

Bringing the Night to Life
The bonfire is the most iconic feature of Lag B’Omer. People congregate at night to light big fires in Jewish communities all over Israel and the world. These flames are said to represent the spiritual light brought into the world by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a great Jewish mystic whose death is commemorated on this day.

Mount Meron Pilgrimage
In northern Israel, Mount Meron becomes the center of attention. It’s the burial place of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and each year, tens of thousands of people make a pilgrimage there. The atmosphere is electric—featuring live music, dancing, and prayers lasting all night.

Playing with Bows and Arrows
Children often take part in archery games using toy bows and arrows. The tradition ties back to a midrashic idea that no rainbows appeared during Rabbi Shimon’s lifetime, since he himself was a symbol of peace. Since the Hebrew word keshet means both “bow” and “rainbow,” the practice blends symbolism and play.

The First Tradition of Haircuts
Lag B’Omer is sometimes associated with a young boy’s first upsherin, or haircut. This rite of passage is typically celebrated with blessings and sweets by friends and family at the age of three.

Outdoor Recreation and Group Picnics
Lag B’Omer is often spent outside. Particularly in Israel, communities and schools plan parades, hikes, and picnics. In parks, you frequently see people grilling food and kids having fun in the springtime sun.

Lag BaOmer marks the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, a period between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. While much of the Omer is observed with semi-mourning customs, Lag BaOmer is a break from this somberness — a day of joy, light, and celebration.

Historical and Spiritual Meaning
The day is traditionally associated with the end of a deadly plague that struck Rabbi Akiva’s students in the 2nd century CE. This sudden relief is one reason for celebration.

It is also linked to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a revered Jewish sage and mystic, who is said to have passed away on this day. According to tradition, he revealed deep spiritual teachings — possibly the foundation of the Zohar, a central text of Jewish mysticism — on the day of his death. His life and teachings are honored with bonfires, symbolizing his “spiritual light.”

Customs and Symbols

• Bonfires: Represent the light of Rabbi Shimon’s teachings.

• Bows and Arrows: Played with by children, symbolizing peace — some say they recall a time when no rainbow (a symbol of God’s covenant) was needed in Rabbi Shimon’s merit.

• Upsherin (First Haircut): A ritual haircut for three-year-old boys, often held on this day, especially in Hasidic communities.

In short, Lag BaOmer is a joyful pause in a season of reflection — honoring the past, celebrating spiritual insight, and embracing hope.

Yes, Chabad does get haircuts on Lag BaOmer — but there’s a bit of a twist.

Here’s how it goes: Chabad follows the mourning customs of the Omer period pretty strictly, which includes not cutting hair during most of the 49 days. But Lag BaOmer is the big exception. It’s a joyful day, and in Chabad communities, haircuts are allowed starting from the morning of Lag BaOmer — not the night before, like some other groups do.

So if you’re Chabad (or hanging with Chabad folks), don’t be surprised to see a little boy getting his first haircut — called an upsherin — during Lag BaOmer day. It’s a pretty festive event, sometimes with music, candy, and lots of proud family members snapping pics.

Lag BaOmer is special because it’s a joyful break during the otherwise somber Counting of the Omer, a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. This 33rd day brings celebration, light, and hope — all tied to powerful stories from Jewish tradition.

End of a Plague
According to the Talmud, a mysterious plague killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva’s students during the Omer. On Lag BaOmer, the deaths are said to have stopped — making it a day of relief and gratitude.

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
This day is also linked to the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a 2nd-century sage and mystic who, tradition says, revealed deep spiritual teachings before his death. His yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) is honored with bonfires, singing, and gatherings — especially at his tomb in Meron, Israel.

Spiritual “Light” and Learning
The bonfires symbolize the spiritual light Rabbi Shimon brought into the world. Many see this as a time to embrace deeper learning and reflection.

Family and Childhood Traditions
It’s also a popular day for upsherin, a first haircut for 3-year-old boys, and for children to play with bows and arrows — symbols connected to peace and biblical imagery.

In essence, Lag BaOmer stands out as a day of light, learning, and renewal — blending history, mysticism, and joy.